Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology  2011;18(2):383-386

doi:10.5385/jksn.2011.18.2.383

A Case of Acrodermatitis Enteropathica with Normal Serum Zinc Level in a Breastfed Preterm Infant.

Jung Hyun BAEK 1 ; Chul PARK ; Kyu Hee PARK ; Jung Hwa LEE ; Young Sook HONG ; Joo Won LEE ; Yoo Sang BAEK ; Hae Jun SONG ; Jang Hoon LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Acrodermatitis enteropathica; Alkaline phosphatase; Zinc deficiency; Periorificial dermatitis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Acrodermatitis enteropathica due to zinc deficiency is characterized by periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and intractable diarrhea. Here we report a case of transient acrodermatitis enteropathica in a 2-month-old preterm infant, whose skin is erythematous, scaly, eczematous, with an eruption starting from the periorificial area. While her serum zinc level was normal at 118.2 ug/dL, the serum alkaline phosphatase level was low at 48 IU/L and the serum alkaline phosphatase level get increased concordant with clinical improvement after zinc supplementation. Hence, this case shows that the diagnosis of zinc deficiency can be aided with a low level of serum alkaline phoaphatase although serum zinc level is normal.